Change your address before the order ships

If your order has not yet shipped, you can change the delivery address through your Amazon account. Go to Your Orders, find the order you want to change, and select Change delivery address. Amazon will show you available addresses from your account or let you enter a new one. The new address must be in the same country as your original order.

You have until the order status changes to Preparing to ship or Shipped. Once either of those statuses appears, the address is locked and you cannot change it through your account. The timeframe varies by item type and seller — some orders ship within hours, others within days.

If the address option does not appear on the order details page, the seller has already begun packing or the carrier has taken possession. In that case, you will need to use a different method.

Redirect a package after it ships

Once an order ships, you can use Amazon Delivery (the tracking page) to redirect it to a different address. Open your order, select Track package, and look for a Change delivery or Redirect delivery option. This works only if the package has not yet been delivered or out for delivery that day.

The new address must be a residential or business location within the delivery area. You cannot redirect to a PO Box, and the address must be reachable by the same carrier. If your package is already out for delivery, redirection is no longer possible — you will need to refuse the delivery or arrange a return instead.

Redirection requests are processed by the carrier, not Amazon directly. Approval depends on the carrier's route and timing. If the carrier cannot redirect, you will see a message saying redirection is not available for this delivery.

Key Takeaways

  • You can change the address in your Amazon account only while the order status shows Not yet shipped or Preparing to ship.
  • Once the status changes to Shipped, use the tracking page to request redirection instead of changing the address in your account.
  • Redirection works only if the package has not yet been out for delivery, and the new address must be in the same delivery area.
  • If redirection is not available, you can refuse delivery and have the package returned, then place a new order with the correct address.

Refuse delivery and reorder

If you cannot change or redirect the address, you can refuse the delivery when the package arrives. Tell the driver you do not accept it, or mark the package as refused if it is left at your door. The package will be returned to Amazon, and you will receive a refund to your original payment method within a few days.

Once the refund is processed, place a new order with the correct address. This method takes longer than redirection but guarantees the package goes to the right place. If the item is no longer in stock or the price has changed, you will see that when you reorder.

Update your default address for future orders

To prevent address mistakes on future orders, update your default delivery address in your Amazon account settings. Go to Your Account, select Addresses, and choose which address you want to use as your default. When you place a new order, Amazon will pre-fill this address — you can still change it for that specific order if needed.

You can store multiple addresses in your account. Amazon will show all of them as options when you check out, so you can pick the right one each time without typing it in again.

What to do if the package was already delivered

If the package has already been delivered to the wrong address, contact Amazon customer service through your account or by phone. Explain that it went to the incorrect address and provide the tracking number. Amazon can sometimes contact the carrier to intercept the package or work with the recipient to retrieve it, though success depends on how long ago it was delivered.

If the package cannot be recovered, Amazon will usually issue a refund or send a replacement to the correct address. Keep the tracking number and any communication with the driver or recipient — this helps Amazon process your case faster.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change the address if I used a gift card to pay?

Yes. The payment method does not affect whether you can change the address. If the order has not shipped, change it in your account. If it has shipped, use the tracking page to request redirection.

What if I enter a new address and Amazon says it is invalid?

Amazon checks addresses against postal databases. If it rejects your address, try entering it differently — use the full street name instead of an abbreviation, or add an apartment number if you left it out. If it still does not work, the address may not be recognized by the postal system, and you may need to use a nearby address or a package pickup location instead.

Can I change the address to a different country?

No. Amazon will not let you change an order to a different country. If you need the item shipped internationally, you must refuse the delivery, get a refund, and place a new order through Amazon's international site or a seller that ships to that country.

How long does redirection take?

Redirection requests are processed by the carrier within hours, but the package may still take several days to reach the new address depending on distance and the carrier's schedule. You can track progress on the tracking page.

What if my landlord or roommate received the package?

Contact them directly to retrieve it. If they will not return it or you cannot reach them, contact Amazon customer service with the tracking number and explain the situation. Amazon may issue a refund or replacement depending on the circumstances.